K-POP rookie NEWBEAT Skipped Chuseok to Rehearse Their First Comeback

"If you really look at us, we all look completely different," member Kim Tae-yang said with a grin. "Surely, at least one of us will be your ideal type."

That mix of confidence and humor reflects where K-pop group NEWBEAT stands today. Eight months after its debut, the seven-member act is preparing for its first comeback, and the members say they have worked hard to sharpen both their musical skills and physical conditioning.

The group — comprising Park Min-seok, Hong Min-sung, Jeon Yeo-jung, Choi Seo-hyun, Kim Tae-yang, Jo Yoon-hu and Kim Ri-woo — sat down with KPOPIT in Seoul to discuss its first EP, "LOUDER THAN EVER."

The EP, set for release on the 6th, features double title tracks. The first, "Look So Good," is a pop dance song that updates the nostalgic R&B sound of the early 2000s for a modern audience. The second title track, "LOUD," builds on a bass house foundation while incorporating elements of rock and hyperpop.

"For our debut project, we focused on delivering powerful performances," Choi Seo-hyun said. "This time, to match the season and our growth as artists, we're showing a more sophisticated side."

Leader Park Min-seok admitted the group felt pressure heading into its first comeback. "Because this is our first comeback, we worked really hard," he said. "We spent a lot of time thinking about what kind of image our fans and the public would connect with, and we pushed ourselves as much as we could. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but I'm even more excited."

Jeon Yeo-jung put it more simply. "Our mindset is to leave everything on stage, even if it breaks us."

In a move aimed at reaching a wider audience, the entire EP was recorded in English. "We want to introduce NEWBEAT's identity to listeners around the world," Park said. "Since English is a global language, we saw it as a new challenge."

The group paid close attention to pronunciation and delivery. Members received language coaching and held self-monitored practice sessions, with fluent English speakers such as Jo Yoon-hu, who spent part of his childhood in the United States, helping the others. "We worked hard to make everything sound as natural as possible," Park added.

Part of the album was recorded in the United States, a trip the members remember fondly. "We're huge food lovers, and America had so many great options," Kim Tae-yang said. "BCD Tofu House left a big impression on us. We also ate a lot of burgers. People kept telling us to dip French fries into milkshakes, so we tried it and ended up loving it."

Returning to Seoul meant getting back into a demanding routine. "Adjusting again wasn't easy," Kim said. "Ri-woo and I lost about nine kilograms within a month through dieting and practicing until early in the morning."

The group even gave up its Chuseok holiday to keep preparing. "We didn't take a single day off, and rehearsals often ended late at night," Hong Min-sung said.

Park said missing time with his family was difficult. "I wasn't able to visit my parents, which was disappointing," he said. "I can't fully know how they feel, but I think they're proud to see me working so hard," Choi added, "We were all exhausted, but we got through it by relying on one another."

Before debuting, the members took part in a demanding long-distance trek, a team-building challenge that they say strengthened their bond. "As an artist, you need a difficult memory to look back on and tell yourself, 'This isn't as hard as that was,'" Park said. "At the time, I really struggled and couldn't understand why we were doing it. Now, whenever things feel overwhelming, I think about that experience. The members helped me get through it." Jeon agreed, calling the group's teamwork its greatest strength.

Jeon also brings a unique perspective to the team. Having previously debuted in TO1, he draws on his experience to help guide the members. "My previous experience has been a big help," he said. "I often think about how we can improve our teamwork and stage presence, and I share those ideas with the group."

Jo Yoon-hu said that support has been invaluable. "Right after debut, everything felt new and overwhelming," he said. "Whenever I ran into a problem, Yeo-jung helped me figure it out. I still rely on his advice."

The members also spoke openly about the challenge of keeping fans engaged during the gap between releases. "We tried to communicate as much as possible through global platforms so fans wouldn't drift away," Hong said. "Whenever we had the chance to perform at a festival, we treated it like our most important stage."

Park shared the same confidence. "Even if people looked away for a moment, we believed the music would bring them back."

That confidence seemed to pay off in September, when NEWBEAT drew a strong response at the ATA Festival.

Asked what made the performance connect so well, Park pointed to the group's experience on stage. "Since our debut, we've actively looked for opportunities to perform at festivals," he said. "All of that experience and practice came together in that moment." Kim Tae-yang offered a lighter answer. "Out of the seven of us, one of us is bound to be your ideal type."

For Park, the long-term goal is clear. "I want people to eventually say that 'NEWBEAT' is its own genre," he said. "Senior artists like BTS reached a point where the group itself became its own identity. We released a full-length album right from our debut because we wanted to show how many different styles we can do. I want us to keep proving that."